MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE MUS 140 Introduction to Digital Music Technology 3-3-0

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1 AY17-18 MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE MUS 140 Introduction to Digital Music Technology COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to Digital Music Technology is an entry-level course in modern music production. Students will study the nature of musical sound and the relationship between digital and analog sound processing. Students will also receive an introduction to the basics of MIDI, the fundamental computer music language. Through hands-on projects, students will learn about the various tools of modern audio production with an emphasis on digital tools including synthesizers, midi controllers, sequencers, mixers, effects generators and more. The students will prepare a final project that will demonstrate familiarity with these devices and an understanding of aesthetic choices associated with their use. REQUISITES: Previous Course Requirement Music 120 Music Fundamentals with a minimum grade of "C" Concurrent Course Requirements None LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to: 1. Explain the acoustic nature of sounds, and how sound waves are represented digitally. LEARNING ACTIVITIES Hands-On in EVALUATION METHODS Written Quizzes, Tests MUS140 ACT Page 1 of 5

2 LEARNING OUTCOMES LEARNING ACTIVITIES EVALUATION METHODS 2. Demonstrate basic computer skills, operating system functions, hardware connections, virtual desktop environment vs. local Hard Drive and network applications, multiple internal and external storage and data transfers and basic computer terms and definitions. Hands-On in In-Class Projects Lab 3. Describe various types of analog and digital music production tools available in today s world, and explain the differences between them and their functionality. 4. Set up a basic computer studio configuration including both MIDI Hardware and Software and audio input/output. 5. Describe selected aspects of the history of music technology. 6. Create a recorded project using synthesis, MIDI sequencing and editing, inserting effects, and mixing procedures to create the desired aesthetic result. Hands-On in Hands-On in Hands-On in Written Quizzes, Tests In-Class Projects Lab Research Project Final Recorded Project MUS140 ACT Page 2 of 5

3 LEARNING OUTCOMES LEARNING ACTIVITIES EVALUATION METHODS 7. Explain the aesthetic choices made in the creation of the recorded project. Hands-On in Final Recorded Project At the conclusion of each semester/session, assessment of the learning outcomes will be completed by course faculty using the listed evaluation method(s). Aggregated results will be submitted to the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. The benchmark for each learning outcome is that 70% of students will meet or exceed outcome criteria. SEQUENCE OF TOPICS: 1. The nature of sound and introductory acoustics. a. Introduction to the lab computer, operating system, network, terms and Blackboard 2. Principles of MIDI and MIDI history INTRO TO GARAGE BAND a. MIDI vs. sound b. Introduction to the MIDI Computer language and terms 3. Principles of digital audio. INTRODUCTION TO FINALE a. Digital vs. analog b. Sample rates, quantizing, etc. 4. Survey of production tools: a. Microphones, Cables, Synthesizers, Sequencers, Samplers, Recorders, Signal Processors, Mixers, Notation Software. b. RESEARCH PROJECT: comparison of available production tools c. PROJECT: FINALE ORCHESTRATION PROJECT 5. Principles and history of sound synthesis a. Different types of synthesizers b. Exploring REASON 6. Signal Flow. a. Analog and Digital Audio Signals and Connections b. Signal Flow Between Devices c. MIDI Signal Flow d. Setting Up the Studio e. MINI PROJECT: REASON PROJECT MUS140 ACT Page 3 of 5

4 7. MIDI Sequencing and MUSICAL FORM a. Basic MIDI Messages b. Patterns in Music: Rhythm patterns i. MINI RESEARCH PROJECT: Exploring rhythm patterns c. Creating Patterns of your own d. Building an Arrangement from Patterns i. MINI PROJECT: Creating a rhythm sequence 8. MIDI Sequencing Continued a. How a Sequencer Represents Time b. Real-Time Recording c. Record Modes: A Sequencer Is Not a Tape Recorder! a. Replace and Overdub b. Loop Recording c. Step Recording d. FINAL SEQUENCING PROJECT Step 1: Creating the basic tracks. 9. Editing MIDI Sequences a. Various editing tools within sequencers b. MIDI Event-Level Editing c. Fixing Mistakes i. Timing ii. Durations iii. Dynamics iv. Pitch d. Cut/Copy/Paste Operations e. FINAL SEQUENCING PROJECT Step 2: Begin editing your project 10. Editing MIDI Sequences, continued f. MIDI Mixing and Automation g. FINAL SEQUENCING PROJECT Step 2(continued): Finish editing your project 11. Mixing a. A More Detailed Look at Mixers. b. Technical Issues in Mixing c. Aesthetic Issues in Mixing d. MIDI Tracks into Audio e. Bouncing MIDI Tracks to Audio Files f. FINAL SEQUENCING PROJECT Part 3: Convert to Audio 12. Effects Processing, DSP, and Mixing: a. Insert Effects b. Aux Send and Return Effects c. MINI PROJECT: Set Up a Reverb Send and Return d. Introduction to other effects: EQ, Compression, Gating, Delay, Doubling, Flanging, Chorus, Reverb e. MINI PROJECT: Adding effects. MUS140 ACT Page 4 of 5

5 13. Hard-Disk Recording and Editing a. Overview of Sampling Concepts and Hard-Disk Recording b. Bouncing a Mix to Disk c. Editing a Hard-Disk recording 14. Preparing Files for Distribution a. Preparing Sequence Files for Distribution b. Importing and Exporting MIDI c. Posting Files on the Web d. Audio Distribution Formats e. Mastering for CD, MP3 f. Audio File Compression Overview g. Making MP3 Files h. FINAL SEQUENCING PROJECT Part 4: Final mastering of your project. 15. CAPSTONE SESSION a. Distributing final audio files via the web and CD b. Discussion of the group s work. c. Sharing of the work with the college community. d. FINAL EXAM LEARNING MATERIALS: Hosken, Dan. (2014). Introduction to Music Technology (2 nd edition). Routledge ISBN-13: This course is consistent with Montgomery County Community College's mission and educational goals. Other learning materials may be required and made available directly to the student and/or via the College s Libraries and/or course management system. COURSE APPROVAL: Prepared by: Andrew Kosciesza Date: 7/6/2013 VPAA/Provost or designee Compliance Verification: Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, Ed.D. Date: 8/9/2013 Revised by: Andrew Kosciesza Date: 12/27/2017 VPAA/Provost or designee Compliance Verification: Date: 1/10/2018 This course is consistent with Montgomery County Community College s mission. It was developed, approved and will be delivered in full compliance with the policies and procedures established by the College. MUS140 ACT Page 5 of 5

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